Shenzhen, China, - Huawei, a global leading information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider, recently announced the successful first large-scale commercial deployment of its innovative Blade Remote Radio Unit (RRU) solution as part of a China Unicom network expansion. The solution utilizes a new generation of distributed base station products designed especially for operators building and optimizing multi-band and multi-mode networks.

China Unicom launched the world’s largest WCDMA network on October 1, 2009, and now provides High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) and Mobile Broadband (MBB) data services in most cities to enhance user experience. The operator has since sought to quickly expand hotspot coverage to enhance overall network capacity and ensure a high-quality user experience. It has also taken into consideration the need to provide high-speed network access to more users while enabling the smooth evolution of their network to LTE. Huawei’s Blade RRU solution was chosen to address these challenges as part of plans to expand its network in Shanghai.

A single deployed RRU that makes up part of the Blade RRU solution is a 12 cubic meters and 14 kg, significantly smaller in size and weight than industry-standard products. Its modular design was inspired by “blade server” style functionality, and supports seamless assembly for multi-band, multi-mode, and multi-sector flexible network expansion.

The Blade RRU solution is highly effective in reducing the number of on-site modules, simplifying and reducing requirements for site space, equipment installation, and maintenance costs. It is also especially well-suited for rapid network building and expansion in dense urban areas.

The Blade RRU solution is fully compatible with the existing services and architecture of China Unicom’s WCDMA network, and has empowered the operator to introduce LTE seamlessly in the future. The RRUs deployed for China Unicom as part of the solution currently support HSPA+ 21 Mb/s high-speed broadband services, and will be able to achieve speeds of 84 Mbps with software upgrades.

Ying Weimin, President of Huawei’s GSM/UMTS/LTE Product Line, said: “Huawei’s Blade RRU distributed base station solution has been widely adopted throughout the China telecom market. The solution will further simplify network deployment for operators worldwide. Huawei’s innovative products and solutions will help China Unicom continue to improve the quality of its network while meeting growing demands for MBB services and providing the capability for fast and smooth evolution to LTE.”

Huawei is committed to providing its customers with network solutions designed to accommodate the latest advances in wireless technologies. Due to its superior performance and seamless multi-module assembly capability, the Blade RRU solution helps operators maximize the value of core network assets while providing an efficient, competitive, and profitable MBB services.